The Truth of Life and Death

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

The Inevitable Journey of the Spirit

Life and death are the fundamental processes that every spirit, upon obtaining a human body, must inevitably experience. We are born into this world, we inhabit this physical vessel for a time, and eventually, we must discard it. Throughout the span of our lives—from the moment of birth until the final breath—this physical body and our spirit remain constant companions, journeying together through the passing of decades.

The Weight of Time and Experience

If one lives to be a hundred years old, they are often revered as a human treasure. However, if such an individual has not engaged in the study of the Dharma, their long life is truly a testament to having been through the wringer. The countless hardships, the biting winds of adversity, and the heavy frosts of life are etched deeply into their faces, their bodies, and their very posture. It is for this reason that people offer them such profound respect. Yet, whether one lives for a few decades or reaches the age of a century, the end remains the same: the cessation of the physical life.

The Crossroads of the Final Thought

When the physical body passes away, where does the spirit go? This is the most critical question of our existence. The destination of your spirit is determined by two primary factors: your actions, deeds, and conduct throughout your life, and the state of your mind and your very last thought at the moment of passing.

For the majority of people, the interval between birth and death is spent navigating the inevitable decline of the body, marked by aging and illness, until death finally brings the chapter to a close. This is the life of one caught in the cycle of rebirth. Such a person cannot be the master of their own destiny; instead, they are driven by the momentum of their own karma.

The Supreme Blessing of Practice

In the midst of this cycle, choosing to engage in spiritual practice is a tremendous blessing. Practice is the essential first step toward breaking free from the cycle of rebirth. Among all methods, making a sincere vow to chant Namo Amituofo and seek rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is the most direct and effective way to transcend samsara entirely.

The Perfection of the Path

Within the journey of practice, the choice to leave the household life is a wonderful method to avoid creating further karmic ties that bind one to the cycle of rebirth. The ultimate achievement of this path includes: Awakening, which is realising one's true nature and gaining mastery over one's spirit; Liberation, which is attaining a state where you do not grow old, do not get sick, and your spirit does not die; Realisation, which is reaching the state of Awakening and Buddhahood, where one can save oneself and save all beings; and Perfection, which is achieving the fullness of self-awakening, awakening others, and the perfection of awakened conduct.

Namo Amituofo.